Destiny (Warrior Cats)

Chapter 8

Thrushflight

Dried blood made for thick scarlet that created clumps in Cherrykit's fur. The kit looked better now, more peaceful; her breathing was steadily paced, although ragged, an occasional tail flick indicating a slightly uneasy rest. It's not like Thrushflight expected her to rest easily, though. After the trauma and the deep injury, he was shocked the young kit had survived at all. However, she looked pretty well, despite what had happened. Sort of well. Maybe it was just Thrushflight trying to convince himself.

Thrushflight sat directly to Cherrykit's left, awaiting a signal to leave, or a command to do otherwise. He clearly had too much time on his paws. Breezestar must've been really engrossed in the conversation, but he could understand why the decision would be difficult. Regardless of saying that, to Thrushflight, it was obvious. Exile him!

The sour scent of PineClan was clinging to his fur, with a firm hold that he was sure would not let go for moons to come. It wasn't exactly that he wanted to leave, he just wanted to get up, put feeling in his quavering legs. But he couldn't leave Cherrykit. He didn't trust a single cat in this Clan.

All he could do now was think. Think about Darksong, think about Frostrose. Think about her kits. The silvery-pinkish cat was having kits. With their leader. And here I was, thinking she loved me. Thinking she felt the same. He thought, the chilling feeling of loneliness washing over him. He shivered. Not due to cold air. He was sad.

Change of topic. No more Frostrose.

What was Breezestar saying to Leafstar? Oh StarClan, He thought, I don't know what I'll do if they don't exile Darksong. No-one will be safe if he's willing to do that to an innocent kit.

Another topic Thrushflight wasn't invested in thinking about. It made him shake with terror to imagine Darksong still roaming amongst the Clans. He'd never think of that tom the same way, not after what he'd just witnessed.

What to do... Thinking wasn't quite working for him. Observe. He eyes swept across his surroundings. It wasn't very interesting, in all honesty. Pine trees, each a  slightly different hue of green. All relatively murky in colour. Multiple needles were peppered on the ground, some brown with age and others fresh and green, looking as though they had just fallen, which they probably had. Pine needles fell all year during each season. They were timeless. With all of the layers of Pine needles coating the ground, it was almost impossible to see the Earth underneath. If there was a patch of visible dirt, it was dark, almost black, and consistently moist. It was like a sponge; it appeared to soak up the water but never quite dried completely. Similar to the dirt of MarshClan, but much, much darker from the lack of exposure to the sun. There wasn't much in the area scenery-wise. Pine trees as far as the eye could see. Distant mountains that maintained a smoky grey blue colour, capped with snow in each season but GreenLeaf. The same sky he loved to look at each night, only the view was mostly concealed by clusters of trees. So many trees... If-

His thoughts were broken by a familiar sound. Breezestar clearing his throat, as he always did before speaking to more than two cats. That was Thrushflight's cue to pay attention. He peered down briefly at Cherrykit. It was becoming a habit now. She was still okay, very much to his relief. However, it wasn't like her state was going to suddenly change. It was already established that her life was in tact. So why do I feel like something's still wrong?  Thrushflight asked himself.

"PineClan, I have made up my mind, with assistance from Breezestar." A hoarse she-cat's voice broke through the air. It had a small tremble in it. Leafstar still had a bit to learn about being a leader, but PineClan's previous leader, Robinstar, hadn't chose her for no reason. After some practise, she would be great. Thrushflight was sure of it. He had seen her in battle. She was strong, well experienced in her battle moves, but she was smart about using them and knew the perfect timing for each manoeuvre. That's how he pictured her leading. Powerful, but patient enough to make sure everything happens in their time.

A cold, damp nose nudged against his thin flank-fur.

"Thrushflight, we must go now." Breezestar whispered.

"But I don't know what they're doing with Darksong yet!" Thrushflight objected.

"It doesn't concern you, for now. Now come!" Breezestar hissed brusquely.

Thrushflight let out an unnoticed grunt of disagreement but hauled himself to his paws, following Breezestar out of PineClan. Dappleleaf was behind him, with Cherrykit dangling from her jaws. Cherrykit looked a bit like a squirrel that they had just caught. A bloody squirrel.

They sauntered out of the pungent PineClan odour towards their own, superior-smelling Clan. There wasn't much to do as they travelled but make small-talk or just not talk at all. As if nothing had happened.

"We're so lucky to live where we do," Remarked Thrushflight, an impotent attempt at small talk; a statement that was over before it began. "This place is horrible." He'd never fully appreciated the luxuries of his home until he had experienced what PineClan had to offer. There were murmurs of agreement, but no proper replies, and a silence that followed, lasting for the entirety of the journey.

The trail they walked was dense with pine needles (No surprise, as was the rest of PineClan's territory) that constantly pricked their soft paw-pads as they went along. It was no wonder that PineClan cats were so hardy, since they have to walk along with these conditions regularly. When the ground, overrun by an abundance of Pine trees, began to vanish into the bog, they knew they were approaching the comforts of their territory.

Thrushflight didn't know how to feel at this point; excited because Cherrykit was safe, nervous because he wasn't aware of the consequences Leafstar gave to Darksong, worried because Cherrykit was ill, afraid of what Breezestar would make of this whole ordeal and so many other things that came into play as well.

Like Frostrose. Another qualm of sadness that he was forced to shake off. If he was in a different Clan, he wouldn't have to deal with his constant mood swings towards a she-cat who would never feel the way he did. Sharply, he reminded himself that the only other Clan he would have to go to was PineClan, and just a few moments earlier he had stated his relief at the fact that he wasn't a PineClan cat.

Get over it, He growled at himself. You're home, you're a MarshClan cat and you're here to make your clan proud, not her. Today you did a good thing. Cherrykit is okay now, thanks to you. A small wave of pride. He'd done something right, today. For the first time, he wasn't going to be modest. He would take this victory.

Right as he had finished that thought, he heard a sound that made his heart skip a beat.

Cherrykit had thrown up blood. A lot.

Oh man it feels good to get back into the writing swing might I just say! I hope you guys all enjoyed this reasonably short chapter (heh). I'm still pretty short with my chapters, but I've promised myself - and you guys! - that each chapter will be at least 1000 words. I might edit this chapter because I have a habit of re-doing that stuff x-x"

Hope you enjoy!

-Vi <3 xx